Chevrolet has been known to make small cars that are very fun to drive. The brand has taken this one step higher by giving it a sportier appearance with the release of the 2017 Sonic. Sales of the 2017 Sonic are expected to start this fall. The sedan models will come in the LS, LT, and the Premier trims.

An RS package will be made available for the sedan model as well. While the hatchback will come in the RS trim, the LT and Premier trims will be offered as well.

Aside from the sporty impression, the 2017 Sonic will also include technologies like the MyLink system that is compatible with the Android Auto and the Apple CarPlay, features exclusive to this segment.

Amid the sluggish demand in the U.S. for small cars, about 100 General Motors workers will be laid off as the automaker plans to reduce the output of the Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano by 21%. The factory workers at its Orion Assembly plant in suburban Detroit were told that plant production will be adjusted “to better align with market demand."

The workers will be laid off in phases starting in July and until the end of the year. Sources say that the output will be cut from the current 33 cars per hour at the plant, down to about 26 cars – a 21% drop. Over the past year, the factory’s production has been cut several times as gasoline prices continue to be low and as the market now favors crossovers and trucks over cars.

In January, March, and April, single weeks of downtime were scheduled at the Orion plant. Last November, GM said that 160 workers will be laid off and that the line rate will be slowed down. In addition, it wants to have one more week of downtime close to the July 4 holiday, extending it from the usual two weeks to a total of three.

General Motors is lowering the output of the Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano small cars, which inventories have reached higher-than-normal. GM plans to idle output at its Orion Assembly plant in suburban Detroit in the weeks of Feb. 16 and April 6 to adjust supply to market demand, two people privy with the production schedule told Automotive News.

One of the sources said the company has already informed workers of the planned downtime. The production reduction comes as inventories reached their highest levels at their highest level in a year in the US -- a 127-day supply as of January 1, or 26,600 Sonics.

On the other hand, inventories of the Verano reached an 84-day supply as of January 1, or 9,800 units. The Orion site is home to around 1,800 workers. GM announced in November a plan to lay off around 160 employees at the site this month as it cuts production.

Chevrolet Sonic Accessories Concept was unveiled ahead of the 2014 SEMA Show and as expected, it was designed to highlight unique treatments from the American manufacturer. The first visual impact with the vehicle reveals the Summit White exterior color with matte black stripes.

Moreover, the vehicle arrives with plenty of Chevrolet Accessories such as white headlamp rings and taillights rings, new black grille surround, mirror covers and a rear roof spoiler as well as a new set of 17-inch aluminum wheels.

In addition, the Sonic Performance Concept gets a new suspension kit with lowered ride height from Chevrolet Performance. For the interior, we find Chevrolet Accessories carpeted floor mats, door sills and sport pedals.

For this year’s 2014 SEMA Show, Chevrolet prepared a performance-oriented of the Sonic hatchback designed for a new generation of enthusiasts. Dubbed Sonic Performance Concept, the new concept comes with a Chevrolet Performance Stage Kit that includes a cold-air induction and high-flow exhaust system in order to boost the power of the 1.4-liter turbo petrol engine.

Moreover, there is a track-tuned suspension developed by Chevrolet Performance that lowers the ride of the concept for better stability. The vehicle is finished in Synergy Green, complemented by a white stripe package.

In addition, the Sonic Performance Concept features white headlamp rings, tail lamp rings, grille surround, mirror covers and rear spoiler from Chevrolet Accessories. The ground effects package as well as the 17-inch aluminum wheels in white.

General Motors is intending to offer a new Chevrolet electric model in addition to its green-vehicle lineup that already includes the Volt plug-in hybrid and the Spark EV minicar, GM global product chief Mark Reuss confirmed during a presentation to investors.

Two people privy with the carmaker’s plans told Automotive News that the Detroit-based company is currently working on an electric vehicle derived from the current version of the Sonic subcompact.

The said EV would be able to travel around 200 miles on a single charge and would be rolled out sometime in 2017, the sources disclosed. In 2013, former GM chief executive Dan Akerson remarked that the carmaker was working on a car that would be able to have a range of about 200 miles.

Chevrolet is just one of two brands – the other is Toyota’s Scion -- that offer both a subcompact and a minicar in the United States, the Sonic and the Spark. That move has paid dividends. Sales of Chevrolet Sparks were 34,130 in 2013 and 18,591 in the first five months of 2014 (up 28 per cent). The good thing is that the Spark’s success doesn’t seem to be at the expense of the Sonic.

In fact, sales of the Sonic grew 5 percent in the first five months of 2014 to 40,672. Likewise, the Sonic had the second-highest average transaction price of $17,585 among the top seven subcompacts so far in 2014, according to TrueCar.

The popularity of both the Sonic has allowed Chevrolet to outsell Toyota, Honda, Ford and Hyundai in the subcompact market. However, Toyota and Honda still lord over the compact segment with their Corolla and Civic offerings.

General Motors will have the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic available in two limited-edition colors as the carmaker tries to cater to “individualist” consumers. The first of the limited-edition colors, Deep Magenta Metallic, will be available from August to October 2013. Deep Magenta Metallic follows on the success of Chevrolet Spark’s Techno Pink and was a product of the design team’s realization that pink was a lasting trend. Replacing the Inferno Orange color, Deep Magenta Metallic was a result of Chevrolet’s extensive research into fashion runways, consumer products and high-end furniture galleries.

The color perfectly accents Sonic’s shape as it travels on the road. Justin Livingston, color trend expert and founder of fashion blog Scout Sixteen, remarked that a car in a distinctive color is “the ultimate statement piece,” especially to his generation who is embracing metallic on their wardrobes, furniture and accessories.

He remarked that the Chevrolet Sonic in Deep Metallic Magenta “expresses an individual’s personality and tells people that they embrace style.” He added that the richer magenta tone “works against a lot of skin tones” and is practical for those who are willing to take a risk. A Chevrolet vehicle has 10 to 12 color options on average throughout its lifecycle.

The first ads from General Motors Co. on its return to Facebook as a customer will promote the Chevrolet Sonic subcompact car. GM, which stopped paying for ads on Facebook for 11 months, posted these test ads that run on Facebook's mobile applications and Web site. This is part of a wider mobile-marketing effort from GM.

To attract advertisers and to make sure that users are engaged longer, Facebook has been launching new services and tools. When GM decided to stop posting ads on Facebook last May, investors became worried that other major advertisers will leave the site.

This decision to go back to Facebook is indicative of the progress Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made in convincing companies to promote their products to people socializing on handheld devices. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg has been in talks with GM CEO Dan Akerson since last year about resuming ads, sources said.

The smart assistant Siri is already available on the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic and Spark vehicles with Chevrolet MyLink. Cristi Landy, Chevrolet marketing director for small cars, said that Chevy Sonic and Spark are the first vehicles to get Siri Eyes Free integration. She also said that the automaker’s customers consider safety, ease, reliability, and portable connectivity as its top priorities.

Siri complements MyLink's current capabilities to help in delivering an awesome driving experience. Because of the cars' standard Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, customers who have a compatible iPhone that runs iOS 6 could instruct Siri to do several tasks while they don’t risk their safety in keeping their eyes on the road and making sure that their hands stay on the wheel.

To lessen distraction further, Siri now has an Eyes Free mode that allows drivers to use just their voice to interact with their iPhones while keeping the device's screen from lighting up. Drivers would only have to connect the iPhone with the MyLink radio through Bluetooth, pair it with the system, and use the steering wheel voice activation button to start and conclude sessions with Siri in Eyes Free mode.

General Motors has temporarily stopped production of the Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano this week to prevent large inventories from building up. According to a GM representative, GM shut down its facility in its Lake Orion, Michigan, plant, since the company produces according to demand. Even when sales continue to be strong, GM is having difficulty with the high inventories of unsold cars throughout its lineup.

As of the end of November, GM said that it had a 106-day supply of all its new cars while it had a 139-day inventory on full-size pickups like the Chevrolet Silverado. These are very high numbers and stand for a big backlog of vehicles at factories and dealerships that have yet to be sold. Sales of the Chevrolet Sonic compact continue to be strong.

However, this car has a sales average of almost 7,000 units each month. So far in 2012, there have been 75,257 units sold of this model. However, GM’s production data indicate that the Lake Orion plant has produced 93,932 Sonics for the period from January to November 2012 while sales have been far too low. According to Automotive News, the automaker has a 128-day supply of Sonics, equivalent to around 25,700 cars in the inventory.

Chevrolet will integrate Siri into the US version of the Chevrolet Spark and Sonic in early 2013, the carmaker announced during the Los Angeles International Auto Show. Through the Spark and Sonic’s standard Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, customers with a compatible iPhone -- 4S or newer -- running iOS 6 can instruct Siri to perform a number of tasks while they are driving, allowing them to focus their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.

To reduce distraction, Siri comes with an Eyes Free mode that allows users to interact with their iPhone just through their voices while keeping the device's screen from lighting up. To start the operation, a user could just simply connect their iPhone with the MyLink radio via Bluetooth. Once paired with the system, the user should use the steering wheel voice activation button to start and end sessions with Siri in Eyes Free mode.

Both the Chevrolet Spark and Sonic are endowed with six months of OnStar's premium Directions and Connections service. OnStar’s services like Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostics and Roadside Assistance ensure that both the Chevrolet Spark and Sonic are safe, secured and connected.

Chevrolet will be displaying a number of small and compact car concepts at the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Expected to grab the limelight are stylized Spark, Sonic and Cruze concepts, which demonstrate the possibilities for customers who opt for a more personalized driving experience. The concepts include the Spark Z-Spec, Spark Sinister, Sonic Z-Spec 1, Sonic Z-Spec 2.5 and Cruze Upscale.

Spark Z-Spec reveals a cohesive and branded package of improvements taken from accessories already available via Chevrolet dealers. The Spark Sinister is an aggressive-looking concept that combines rally-inspired exterior styling cues with a black appearance for a night-racing looks suitable for driving in a city’s industrial district.

Sonic Z-Spec 1, on the other hand, is the performance-oriented vision of the Sonic sedan that combines the aesthetics of the Z-Spec aesthetic with a more dynamic driving experience, including a power-enhancing exhaust system and upgraded brakes. The unit sports street-smart good looks and is finished in a custom Synergy Green exterior color.

Chevrolet will be producing the Sonic Dusk sedan, which offers a higher level sophistication to the subcompact segment. Chevrolet will bring the production intent Sonic Dusk to the SEMA Show, which opens on Oct. 30 in Las Vegas. It is the first of a wide range of stylized small cars to come from the company.

The vehicle that will be seen at the SEMA show has a production-intent package, which includes ground effects, a rear spoiler and large, 18-inch aluminum wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish. The Ashen Grey Sonic Dusk gets a refined, contemporary look with the addition of elegant touches. Chevrolet gave a matte finish to the upper and lower grilles, door handle inserts and rear license plate trim.

Meanwhile, the body gets more upscale with its stainless steel lower window moldings. The interior of the Sonic Dusk gets Jet Black leather-trimmed seats with suede accents and Mojave tan inserts. The cabin’s ambience is enhanced with its Mojave accent stitching and tan-color door panel and instrument panel accents.

Chevrolet’s 2013 Sonic RS, a sportier subcompact model, has a starting price of $20,995 (including destination charges). Last January, Chevrolet previewed the 2013 Sonic RS at the Detroit Auto Show. General Motors said that this starting price is for a Sonic RS with a 1.4-liter turbocharged I-4 and a six-speed manual. It is about $2135 more expensive than a 2012 Sonic LTZ hatchback with the same powertrain.

The price goes up to $22,280 when the Sonic RS is equipped with the optional six-speed automatic. The added $2100 or higher to the price doesn’t mean that it has higher power though. The turbocharged 1.4-liter still has an output of 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. However, there is a mild improvement in its looks and its handling.

It rides 10mm lower and it has been fitted with distinctive springs and dampers. Instead of rear drum brakes, the vehicle gets discs. The stick-shift fans would be glad to know that the six-speed manual transmission will gain new gear ratios in order to hasten acceleration. Sonic RS models get new front fascias with angular fog lamps, new grille inserts, and unique 17-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels.

Attracting young individuals to buy its vehicles had been a challenge for the marketers at Chevrolet. Not until they took the challenge for the launch of the Chevrolet Sonic subcompact. To put on a fresh face for the Chevrolet Sonic, its marketers thought of implementing a promotional stunt that entailed having a professional skateboarder soar more than 50 feet in between ramps while flipping the subcompact 360 degrees.

Here was another hitch --the stunt was to be performed live. Due to the stunt’s extremely dangerous nature, Chevrolet marketers had to seek approval from General Motors’ top honchos as well as corporate lawyers.

The stunt, dubbed as “Let's Do This" was eventually approved and Rob Dyrdek successfully did what was wildly planned! Thanks to that stunt, the Sonic was able to attract the attention of young consumers. As a matter of fact, Sonic blasted its way to become the second best-selling subcompact in the US next to the Nissan Versa.

Those who drive automatics can now experience the increased torque of turbocharging as the Chevrolet Sonic's fuel-efficient Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine is now offered with either manual or automatic transmission. Jim Danahy, vehicle line director and vehicle chief engineer for North American small cars, said that offering the option of a turbocharged engine to its Chevy customers who drive automatics means that all of its consumers can know how thrilling it is to drive a car with a fuel-efficient Ecotec 1.4L powerplant.

He said that when the engine is used in either the Sonic or Cruze, the fuel economy is improved without compromising power or performance.

According to independent AMCI testing, Sonic's Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission enable the vehicle to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. This makes it faster than the comparable 2012 Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit and Hyundai Accent. The Sonic with the turbo-automatic combination sprinted from a standstill to 60 in around eight seconds.

General Motors will air commercials at the Super Bowl XLVI to further promote its Chevrolet Sonic small car. The company has purchased seven commercial spots, including two 60-second ads, to be aired on one of the most watched sports program in television, which typically attracts around 80 to 90 million viewers across the U.S. GM also has acquired an additional in-game spot, which would be used to plug the Cadillac.

Other cars that will be featured in GM’s commercials are the Volt plug-in hybrid, Silverado pickup and Camaro. The Sonic will be featured in two commercials, one of which is a 60-second spot. The 60-second commercial is an anthem ad that features footages of the Sonic bungee jumping and being launched from a plane. The commercial will also feature the "We Are Young" song of New York indie band Fun, in an effort to further attract buyers from the teens and 20-somethings segments.

Rich Martinek, group advertising manager for Chevy, said the commercial is also aimed at building awareness of unit’s vastly improved car portfolio. "It's not just an opportunity to sell Sonics, it's to reinforce the changes we're making overall from a brand perspective," Martinek said.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic sedan was a result of proportional thinking, literally. Ken Parkinson, executive director for GM design and Chevrolet brand champion, revealed that during the design process, they were comparing the Sonic sedan with its same-length hatchback sibling and felt that the former did not feel proportionally right.

So they decided to “add a little bit more on the rear length, pull the car together again and step back, and all of a sudden it felt really good,” Parkinson said.

The result was a Sonic sedan that’s 14.1 inches longer than the Sonic hatchback. General Motors had originally planned only to make the Sonic a little longer to create “an appropriate amount of cargo space under the rear decklid,” Parkinson revealed.

The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS has made its global debut at the ongoing 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The new Sonic RS will go on sale later this year and will be equipped with a 1.4-liter turbo engine, which could produce 138hp (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm). It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

However, buyers may opt for a six-speed automatic transmission. General Motors said that the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS will be exclusively available with a five-door body style. The exclusive Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system will be offered as standard.